When you’re busy running a business, it’s easy to let seemingly unimportant details slip through the cracks while you focus on vital tasks like finding and serving customers and managing employees.

But there are times when the little things that didn’t seem important one day can suddenly become major problems the next day if they’re ignored too long.

One example is the condition of your commercial building’s HVAC system. While it’s functioning, it’s easy to ignore, even if there are some little inconveniences or red flags popping up here and there. But if you head into work one January day and find the inside of the building is 45 degrees, it’s suddenly a much bigger issue.

To help avoid that potential disaster, consider these three warning signs that indicate your business may need a new HVAC system (or, at the very least, your current system needs some TLC).

Complaints from tenants, employees, or customers

Depending on how your facility is used, complaints could come from a number of sources. And, realistically, complaints can be taken with a grain of salt, as factors like temperature can be somewhat subjective.

However, if you start hearing any of the following complaints regularly from tenants, employees, or customers who spend time in your facility, there’s definitely reason to investigate the cause of the concern:

• Poor air quality - if individuals complain of odd smells, mustiness, the smell of mold, or if the air is extremely dry or extremely humid, these can all be signs that the HVAC system needs to be cleaned, inspected, maintained, or repaired.
• Large temperature swings - a properly functioning HVAC system should operate smoothly and efficiently when regulating the temperature based on both internal and external changes throughout the day. If the system is automated and has timers set to accommodate the facility’s use schedule, the temperature should not be volatile.
• Erratic controls - if an HVAC system is automated and relies on sensors and controls as opposed to manual adjustment of settings, and you’re still getting complaints, it could be a sign of malfunctioning sensors or controls. This can cause unexpected temperature or air quality changes, often in localized areas.

All of these issues can cause people working in the building to be uncomfortable and unproductive, and can even cause customers to look elsewhere to do their business.

Out of control energy costs

It’s normal for utility costs to fluctuate throughout the year based on seasonal changes. However, if you find that your energy costs seem to be changing wildly or continually increasing, it’s definitely worth exploring how the HVAC system is utilizing that energy. There may be opportunity for a planned maintenance program or energy optimization plan to help reduce these costs.

The issue could be as simple as routine maintenance that’s been neglected or poorly performed, leading to clogged air filters, dirty condenser units, or any number of other small situations that can be easily resolved.

Or, this could be a sign of a more substantial problem. One or more of the main HVAC components may be nearing the end of its lifecycle. The building itself may have fallen into disrepair causing hot or cold air to escape and forcing the HVAC system to work harder. It’s important to work with a trusted commercial HVAC company to discover the root of the problem and do a cost/risk analysis to determine how to address the matter.

Regulatory non-compliance

Commercial buildings are subjected to periodic inspections from outside agencies for a number of reasons, including maintaining compliance to various federal, state, and local regulations involving air quality and energy efficiency.

It’s important to treat news of non-compliance seriously, as failure to comply could not only end up costing money in the form of penalties or inability to qualify for rebates and incentives, but it can also be a strong warning sign that something is amiss with your HVAC system. Especially, if the system is less than 10 years old, as it was likely designed and installed with modern regulatory compliance in mind. If it’s since fallen out of compliance, it’s probably a sign of needed maintenance or repair.

These three signs are helpful to have on your radar as you run your business and consider the performance and efficiency of your commercial HVAC system in Colorado. If you notice these issues, or have questions about the performance of your facility systems contact Tolin Mechanical today to speak to our team of expert HVAC technicians and discover the best solutions for your building.